Although the exciting military career she hoped for never got off the ground, Ky Vatta ended up seeing plenty of combat when she took the helm of one of the commercial transport vessels in her family's fleet...and steered it into a full-blown war. Now the lessons she learned in that trial by fire are about to pay off-because this time, the war has come to her. Someone has launched a full-throttle offensive against Vatta Transport Ltd., Ky's father's interstellar shipping empire. In short order, most of Ky's family is killed, and subsequent attacks sever vital lines of communication, leaving Ky fighting, in every sense, to survive. Ky is determined to identify the ruthless mystery enemy and avenge her family's name, but she needs not only firepower but information. And she gets both in spades-from the band of stranded mercenaries she hooks up with; from her black-sheep cousin, Stella, who has been leading a secret life; and from Stella's roguish ex-lover, Rafe. Together they struggle to penetrate the tangled web of political intrigue that is wreaking havoc within InterStellar Communications, on whose effective operation their own livelihoods-and perhaps lives-depend. But the infighting proves to be infectious, and it isn't long before Ky's hired military muscle are turning their suspicions on the enigmatic Rafe, whose wealth of knowledge about ISC's clashing factions and startling new technologies has begun to make him smell like a rat...or a mole. With swift, violent destruction a very real possibility, the last thing Ky needs is a crew divided against itself-and she's prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that Vatta stays in business, as well as in one piece. What she is not prepared for is the shocking truth behind the terror-and a confrontation with murderous treachery from a source as unexpected as it is unrelenting. Download and start listening now!

Listener Opinions

Robert | 2/8/2014

" More pulpy sci-fi goodness in every bite! Listened to this entirely while walking Marty. "

sean | 1/31/2014

" OK for a guilty space-opera fix, if you're waiting for the next book in the Vorkosigan Saga or the Liaden Universe. But don't expect deep, believable characters. Furthermore, you'll have to swallow some pretty ridiculous plotting coincidences and some pretty mediocre secret agent stuff. "

Chuck | 1/15/2014

" See comments under Engaging the Enemy. "

Lemonitsa | 1/15/2014

" It was good to read a sci-fi after all the fantasy and paranormal/urban fantasy this past while. I am enjoying the series so far and will start book 3 in the next week or so. "

Kevin | 1/13/2014

" Another interesting entry in this series of space opera novels. However, it's clear that this is just a small piece of a larger story and unfortunately, it doesn't really stand on it's own. Despite that, however, I am definitely looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story from here. "

" Second book of this series, I found it entertaining. The action scenes are good; short and believable. The fights are ugly and more realistic. I like the main character of this series, but the supporting characters aren't bad either. It's a good science fiction read. "

Riayn | 11/15/2013

" The second book in the Vatta War Series, which just keeps getting better. "

Kazmo | 2/8/2013

" Entertaining enough that I decided to buy the rest of the series. "

Kelly George | 1/21/2013

" Much more interesting than the first installment - more action, more excitement, and more fascinating characters. I am even more excited to read the third book! "

Kim | 11/20/2012

" A good sequel to Trading in Danger. More exciting adventures in the rough and tumble trade routes of Kylara Vatta, space merchant. "

Zafia | 10/11/2012

" There's a lot going on in this book and i'm curious as to what happens next. "

Leesa | 9/18/2012

" I like Moon's deliberate and thorough treatment of the story. "

Lisa | 4/16/2012

" Enjoying the series more, as the main character gains depth. "

Nick | 4/16/2012

" Fun series. Recommended if you like space opera. One of Moon's strengths is the ability to create believable scenes of violence at a personal level. "

Shannon Appelcline | 3/26/2012

" A well-written continuation of the series, with more good characterization and some fun action, though a bit more scattered than the previous due to some multiple viewpoints. "

Juliana | 1/19/2012

" Interesting, but the characterization was still pretty flat, and there are still too many annoying hints of secrets without much real payoff. This series is not for me, I think. "

Aileen | 11/5/2011

" Oh dear. Karla Vatta disappears further and further up her own anus. "

Lauren Magee | 10/2/2011

" A little slower than the first book, but still a lot of fun to read. "

Brad | 6/6/2011

" Solid sci fi space opera military series. "

William | 3/22/2011

" I like the way that government bureaucrats are portrayed as petty and corrupt.

I am a huge fan of Jack Russell terriers.

I would prefer more protagonists and fewer victims.
"

Kazmo | 3/3/2011

" Entertaining enough that I decided to buy the rest of the series.
"

Kirstin | 12/6/2010

" Much clearer than the previous book and far more exciting. I also liked the addition of a few more secondary but outstanding characters like Stella and Rafe.
"

Aileen | 9/19/2010

" Oh dear. Karla Vatta disappears further and further up her own anus.
"

Korynn | 9/9/2010

" After all the excitement that Ky went through last volume, you'd expect her to get into trouble again, except this time it's looking for her in a most sensational and tragic manner.
"

Lemonitsa | 6/6/2010

" It was good to read a sci-fi after all the fantasy and paranormal/urban fantasy this past while. I am enjoying the series so far and will start book 3 in the next week or so.
"

February | 2/16/2010

" Three stars because it felt like a too-short build-up to another book. I knew this was a series, but the climax from this book was not quite as fulfilling or as satisfying as I felt it should have been somehow.
"

Other Titles by Elizabeth Moon:

About the Author

Elizabeth Moon, a former marine, is the author of many novels, including Echoes of Betrayal, Kings of the North, Oath of Fealty, Trading in Danger, the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, and Remnant Population, a Hugo Award finalist. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Florence, Texas.

About the Narrator

Cynthia Holloway, a native of Seattle,
has performed on stage, in film and television, as well as doing voice-over
work. She has given her voice to television programs, radio and television
commercials, video games, and audiobooks.

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